Posts Tagged ‘mindanao philippines’

Mindanao is Not a Scary Place

Beset with so much overwhelming bad news and reports like constant terroristic bombings on public places, Abu Sayyaf’s random kidnapping spree, Muslim and communists leftist groups constant war with Philippine military forces, and constant defamation of Islam religion by mainstream Christian media around the world wherein Islam is the known dominant religion on Mindanao Philippines, one who is not familiar and not inhabitant of Mindanao Philippines will wonder how wrecked is the government in Mindanao or one will be conclusive to think that local governments in Mindanao are terribly in bad management. But is it if one knows the heart of this region of the Philippines?

Former Galing Pook Awardees during PGMA admin.

Yes, amidst all these bad news proliferating on mainstream media and on Christian indoctrination against Islam about Mindanao, one will be astound to know that Mindanao’s local governments has been winning the most commendable places with effective good governmental programs in the Philippines in the “Galing Pook Awards”; just recently this year, among the 15 finalist, five of local government units of Mindanao bagged the awards, namely, the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Surigao Del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Cagwait Surigao del Sur and Dumingag Zamboanga Del Sur. Prior to these latest awardees, there are also places or provinces in Mindanao that has won the “Galing Pook Awards”; these are, Sulu, Kapatagan Lanao Del Sur, Wao Lanao Del Sur, Bongao Tawi-Tawi, Upi Maguindanao, and South-Western Ligwasan Alliance of municipalities in Maguindanao.

Galing Pook

These latest awardees won by their effective governmental programs like the former winners as follows:

(1) Misamis Oriental – for its “Strategic Innovations for Government Hospitals” that bridged hospitals around their province to be accessible to all people in Misamis; outsourcing funds for facility development, improving effective communication and referral networks, introducing consignment scheme on regards to pharmaceutical-medical enterprise, and others pertaining to innovative governmental hospital administration.

(2) Surigao Del Sur – for its innovation on maternal-midwifery management.

(3)  Zamboanga Del Norte – for its “Hillylands Green Rehabilitation and Livelihood Program (Hi-Green)” that seeks to promote Green concept in their community.

(4) Cagwait Surigao del Sur – for its “Cagwait’s Best Program” that promotes neighborhood solidarity and community-barangays development through reward system.

(5) Dumingag Zamboanga Del Sur – for its innovative and improved sustainable agriculture through promotion of organic farming programs.

With these good reports regarding local government management in Mindanao, we can conclude that Mindanao Philippines is not a bad place or region in the Philippines contrary to bad news being reported on mainstream media and Muslim people are no war freaks as what Christian preachers try to paint to their followers.

What is like to study in the Philippines? We know it is not like in Harvard or other well known schools and universities in the world that has an excellent and exceptional teaching method and facilities. However, if you like to study in the Philippines, there are handful known and respected university in the Philippines recognized by the world today. One of the Universities of the Philippines which are respected and well known is the University of the Philippines or UP.

University of the Philippines is the Philippines’ premier university that offers quality higher education. According to it, most of the 30 % of its faculties have doctorate degrees in their respective fields and 42 % has master’s degrees, thus, making it really the best University in the Philippines.

Actually, the University of the Philippines is the only university in the Philippines that has been noted and included at the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) whose membership is made thru casting votes. Therefore, it means the University of the Philippines has a win a vote to become a member of APRU.

Moreover, University of the Philippines is also the only Philippine university that has been included in the ASEAN-European University Network or ASEA UNINET, as well as one of the two universities in the Philippines in the ASEAN University Network or AUN. Wow that is really makes studying in the Philippines excellent and elevates into the ranking of the most respected universities and school in the world.

University of the Philippines have seven branches within the Philippine archipelago, namely, UP Manila, which is located of course at Manila Philippines; UP Diliman, which is located at Diliman Quezon City Philippines within Metro Manila Philippines; UP Visayas, which is located at Visayan region of the Philippines which comprises UP Cebu, UP Iloilo, UP Tacloban and UP Miag-ao; UP Los Banos, which is located at Los Banos Laguna Philippines ,which is recognized as the Agricultural Center of Asia; UP Mindanao, which is located at Mindanao Philippines of course; UP Baguio, which is located at Baguio Philippines, which is said to be the youngest constituents of UP; and UP Open University, which is a distance learning education system or it offers distance education to those who cannot afford to do the natural mode of studying.

Among these branches of University of the Philippines, UP Diliman is said to be the flagship campus among its branches or constituents and the seat of administration. Moreover, UP Diliman has an extension learning program at Pampanga Philippines which is located at Clark Special Economic Zone, Pampanga.

Not only in Pampanga Philippines UP Diliman has Extension Learning Program, but it has also at Olongapo city Philippines, which is located at Olongapo city Zambales Philippines.

The University of the Philippines is of course also known for its controversial Oblation Statue- the nude man, which its fraternities mimic it annually and make an “oblation run”.

Who says “its April fool’s Day” during the month of April at the Philippines? The very start of the month the Philippines have already round-off revelries within the archipelago. Take for example the Butanding Festival at Donsol Sorsogon where street parades were held in thanksgiving for the blessings the whale sharks or butanding gave to Sorsogon. And in simultaneous celebrations are the Suroyta festival at Davao city Philippines where everyone have free tours in the city, the Annivesary of Enchanted Kingdom at Laguna Philippines that features fireworks competitions, the Fiesta Pasiklab at Commonwealth Avenue ,Quezon City Philippines where it highlights and celebrates the twelve famous and known festivals in the Philippines like the Ati-atihan Festival of Aklan Philippines, the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo Philippines, the Higantes festival of Angono Philippines, the Pahiyas Festival of Lucban Quezon Philippines, the Kadayawan Festival at Davao city Philippines, the  Viva Vigan Festival of Ilocos Sur Philippines, the Masskara Festival of  Bacolod Philippines, the Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga city Philippines, the Penafrancia Festival of Naga City Philippines, the Parada ng Lechon of  Batangas Philippines, the Pintados Festival of Tacloban City Philippines, and the Sinulog festival of Cebu Philippines; the Human Canvas Body Competition held at Mandaluyong city inside SM Megamall that celebrates body arts in order to drive out the misconception that this kind of Art is pornography.

Another April 1 celebration is the Banana Festival of Negros Occidental at La Castellana where of course showcases different varieties of banana. And the Kesong Puti Festival of Sta. Cruz Laguna Philippines also celebrates this festival beginning April 1, which of course features the Kesong Puti or White Cheese made from the carabao’s milk.

April 1 in the Philippines is not a ‘fool’s Day’ but the start of the April Festivities in the Philippines. But the Festivals which I mentioned above never stop at April 1 only but continue on the succeeding days of celebration.

Following the April 1 revelries is the Agricultural and Industrial festival in Liliw Laguna Philippines which parades floats relating to agriculture and industry. This festival is called Liliw Gat Tayaw Footwear Festival. This festival is held during April 3 which showcases of course Liliw’s agricultural and industrial products.

Another April Festival is the ASEAN Paragames which is held during April 7 -9 at Zamboanga city Philippines,however, it can also change the location of the games. It a Paralethics games of the paralethic of Visayas Philippines and Mindanao Philippines. Along with this Visayas and Mindanao festival is the National Invitational Skimboarding Competition being held at Misamis Oriental.

Of course, April festivities in the Philippines will not be completed without the April’s main event in the Philippines, that is, the Araw ng Kagitingan Day which is held at April 9. I thought this is a National Holiday in the Philippines. It celebrates the defense and bravery of the Filipino soldiers to defend Bataan Philippines, which eventually fall into the hands of the conquering foreigners.

There are still April festivities in the Philippines which we could no longer discuss on this brief article.

General Santos City Philippines is one of the cities in Mindanao Philippines which the Philippines can be proud of because it is where most tuna fishes in the Philippines come from. For General Santos City Philippines is the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”. Thus, because of its abundance of tuna fishes and other sea foods, locals feast and pampers themselves with different or variety of tuna dishes and other fish dishes such as the Opah (second most eaten seafood specifies at General Santos City Philippines aside from Tuna fish) in their meals and eating feast. Food establishments at General Santos city or to say restaurants and eateries, has experimented dishes and recipes whose main ingredient is the tuna fish. One example of tuna dishes mix with other fish is the “sutukil-sugba” dish which composes of charcoal-boiled tuna mix with special sauce and dipped in toyomansi.

Aside as General Santos city Philippines is known for its abundance of tuna fishes and major exporter of tuna fish in the Philippines, this city has known also in the world as the hometown of now world-known boxer – Manny Pacquiao.

Furthermore, its airport which is located at Barangay Fatima General santos city. It is known as the largest airport in Mindanao Philippines which cater flight services from Manila Philippines and Cebu Philippines, as well as most key cities in the Philippines. By the way, it is called General Santos International Airport, however, it is alternatively called the Tambler Airport for it said to be near Barangay Tambler. General Santos International Airport is new airport in General Santos which replaces the older airports on it. It is located 17 kilometers away from the down town city.

Another distinct feature of General Santos City is its Wharf or Pier. Its wharf is one of the best piers in the Philippines. With its large wharf, not only it connects the cities from the key cities in the Philippines but also cities and piers outside the Philippines.

Though General Santos City is a small fragment of land bounded by Sarangani Philippines and municipalities of South Cotabato Philippines at Southern Mindanao Philippines, yet it is not only large in population (considered to be the most populous cities in the Philippines) but also in commercial and industrial matters ,as well as agricultural also.

Speaking of agricultural side of General Santos City, this city is the one of the largest producer of agricultural crops like corn, rice, asparagus, pineapple, coconuts, copra, potatoes, and other agricultural crops and fruits and vegetables.

It has abundant of agricultural crops because like Davao city Philippines, General Santos city is also a typhoon-free region and have only sufficient amount or volume of rainfall to water its agricultural lands.

So thus, General Santos city is not only large in terms of industrial matters but also in agricultural matters which makes it one of the best cities in Mindanao Philippines as well the best destination in the Philippines, despite of the recent negative news report of frequent bombings within the city. It is part of Mindanao Philippines to have such negative news reports due to its bandits making it their haven.

Zamboanga City in the Philippines

What makes this city at Mindanao Philippines stand out among Mindanao Cities, Though Davao city Philippines already have name in Mindanao?

Zamboanga city Philippines is the second fastest growing cities in Mindanao Philippines aside from Davao City Philippines, thus, it could compete or Zamboanga city have the viability to compete with Davao city Philippines. Well, Zamboanga city for the sake of those who don’t know the city well, it is indeed the Major busiest port in the Philippines and major exporter of sardines in different countries; specifically, to different countries in Europe, Middle East, and Far East.

Recently, Zamboanga city Philippines was considered to be the Top Seaweed Producer in the Philippines, for seaweed farming industry grows strongly in Zamboanga city than in any other port cities in the Philippines.

Aside to be the port capital of the Philippines, Zamboanga city Philippines is also known as the “Flower city” of Mindanao due to its flowery ambience. Moreover, it has unique flora attractions as well fauna attractions. Aside from fauna and flora, you can see on Pasonanca Park a unique beautiful tree house with a gentle stream traversing round it. By the way, Pasonanca Park is the main tourist attraction in Zamboanga City in the Philippines. This park abounds with 600 different species of orchids aside from variety of flowers and trees surrounding it.

Zamboanga is also known as the “Asia’s Latin City” due to the vestiges of Spanish culture flaunted within the city mix with different cultures now existing within the city. The Spanish have set their foot of course to this city and left a footprint upon it. Actually, the Spaniard has set a Pilar Port to it and has perhaps so called it “City of Flowers”. However, it is said that the natives of it, that is before the Spaniards set their foot upon it, have so named it “Samboangan” which means “many flowers”.

One of the province cities within Zamboanga region is the Pagadian city. Pagadian city Philippines is a province city within Mindanao; however, this city set itself apart by projecting sophisticated cityhood which strikes a resemblance to HongKong City. Thus, Pagadain city Philippines is dubbed as the “little HongKong of the Southern Philippines”. Pagadaian city is the gateway of Zamboanga city to it Western region, which is Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines. Furthermore, almost all the regional departments of Zamboanga city Philippines was moved to Pagadian city Philippines making Pagadian city the center for Regional Departments of local government of Zamboanga city, when Pagadaian city have adopted its cityhood.

Actually, Zamboanga city Philippines is the transportation and commercial hub of Western Mindanao. For it have the busiest ports in Mindanao Philippines.

There are much more to say about Zamboanga City Philippines, but only thing it could say about it, that is, Zamboanga City Philippines is indeed the second most important prominent city of Mindanao which Mindanao can be proud of, aside from Davao City Philippines. Davao city in the Philippines is an enclosed city but Zambonga city Philippines is a bay port city. And this difference of these two cities set them apart their respective beauties and usefulness to Mindanao Philippines.

Davao City in the Philippines

Among the cities of Mindanao Philippines, as well in the entire Philippines itself, Davao City Philippines stands out to be the most investment-friendly place to invest your money in the Philippines. Moreover, it is also best place for outdoor activities due to its stable weather condition all year round.

Let us enumerate the reasons why it is the best place for investing your money within the Philippines as well in the Asia-Pacific region.

1. The first thing to consider in investing your money is the location, is not it? If it has number of people flocking into it and have no frequent natural disturbances. Yes, Davao city Philippines has these elements to make you a successful investor. Davao city Philippines is a Typhoon free region where the weather conditions are fit for business investment and sport activities. Thus, you could expect a consistent flocking of people into it.
2. It has a multi-cultural happy and clean cosmopolitan people. That is, a variety of group of people flocks into it. From Davao city Philippines’ indigenous tribes (both Islamized and non-Islamized),Christianized migrant settlers from all over the Philippines, and growing number of global ex-patriates communities having different languages, Cultural traditions, political persuasions or motivations ,and religious beliefs. Imagine this conglomeration of diverse people in this one city? Davao city Philippines is indeed Mindanao’s pride, as well as Philippines pride.
3. Davao City Philippines has the most admired independent and strong local government administration or management in the Philippines. It is far more ahead of the National government in crafting and implementing policies and programs and innovative in governance.
4. Davao City Philippines has the lowest crime rates in the world per month (0.8 % only in every 10,000 persons) Its Police Office has been chosen and considered to be the best Police Group in the Philippines.
5. It has the only the most prepared Integrated Emergency Response System in Asia similar to United States and Canada – the 911.But Davao’911 service is absolutely free of charge.
6. Davao City Philippines promotes healthy lifestyle and advocates it to its constituents. Davao City Philippines pioneered the anti-smoking law, tough policies against dangerous drugs environmental pollution, etc.
7. Davao city Philippines Values greatly money and considered financial situation of its people.
8. Davao city Philippines is an Open city for all, it does not discriminate what kind of people you are if you wanted to live in it.
9. Davao city Philippines has excellent public infrastructures and facilities.
10. Davao City Philippines’s tap water is considered to be the “Best Water in the World”. Its water is tested internationally to be the best quality of clean and safe water in the world. Actually, it is said “it is absolutely perfect”

Davao City Philippines is indeed the best place and the best city in the entire Philippines compares to Manila Philippines and Cebu Philippines. It is Mindanao’s best city, Mindanao Philippines could boast of in the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Therefore, if you want to invest your money for business venture in the Philippines, invest it at Davao in the Philippines; for sure you will reap what you have sown.

Prominent Cities of Mindanao Philippines

Despite of the negative reports bombard against the regions of Mindanao to be a risky place for tourist and locals alike, Mindanao Philippines still stand out as good place for investing your money for business and for extreme sports , a businessperson and sport enthusiast could trust of.

For the cities of Mindanao Philippines really makes the Philippines into a pedestal level in terms of commerce and beauty. What does Manila Philippines have to say about this?

Among the cities of Mindanao Philippines, Davao City Philippines is the most important city that brings great pride to Mindanao not only it is Known for its Durian fruit but Davao city Philippines is known to be the Crown Jewel of Mindanao in terms of economic progress. It is far more investment-friendly city compare to Manila Philippines and Cebu Philippines. For Davao city Philippines, first and foremost, is a Typhoon-free region which means it has a good and fair weather all year round and it has multi-cultural groups of people within it, thus, making it a good place for investing your money. Yup, it has good selling propositions.

Another city which Mindanao Philippines is proud of is Cagayan de Oro city Philippines. Cagayan de Oro city Philippines boast its well known extreme sports activities, particularly its white water rafting and river trekking activities. In terms of economic importance, Cagayan de oro city Philippines is the shopping capital of Northern Mindanao Philippines. It has a number of Malls and Shopping centers, namely, Limketkai Center, SM city Cagayan De Oro, Robinsons Cagayan de Oro, MAKRO Cagayan De Oro, Ororama Chain of Stores, Gaisano City Mall, Divisoria Night Café and Market, Carmen Public Market and Commercial Complex, Cogon Public Market and Commercial Complex, Puerto Market, Agora-lapasan Market, Bulua Market, Ayala Center Cagayan de oro, Pacific Island City Mall and other proposed malls.

Another Mindanao city which is good for Investment is Zamboanga City Philippines known as the city of Flowers. In terms of economic essence, Zamboanga city Philippines is now known as the Philippines’ Top Seaweed producer and it has the busiest port in the Philippines. Furthermore, Zamboanga city is also known as “Asia’s Latin City” because of the vestiges of Spanish culture and language mix with other dialects.

Another prominent city in Mindanao is General Santos City Philippines. General Santos City Philippines is known as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”. It is also the home of some media practitioners in Mindanao. Moreover, it is the home city of now world known boxer – Manny Pacquio.

Another city of Mindanao is Pagadian City Philippines. Pagadian City Philippines is the first class city in the province of Zamboanga Mindanao and was dubbed as the “little Hongkong of the South”. It is the regional center of Zamboanga Mindanao.

There are many cities in Mindanao which puts Mindanao Philippines in the good limelight despite of the dark light thrown upon its regions due to rebels hiding within its forest and abducting tourist and locals alike. Anyone could still invest their money and time to it despite of the negative reports about it.

Come and visit beautiful Mindanao in the Philippines!

Landlocked Bukidnon Philippines

Like Baguio Philippines and Sagada Philippines, Bukidnon Philippines is also a perfect place to unwind from our daily stress we face daily on our lives. For Bukidnon Philippines is a landlocked elevated plateau right smack in the middle of the boundaries of Misamis provinces, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Lanao Philippines. It has an average of 1,700 feet above sea level which really makes it a cool place to dwell. Rain pours every afternoon and mornings are mostly cold.

Bukidnon Philippines’s capital city which is Malaybalay Bukidnon is dubbed as Bukidnon’s “little Baguio” because of its resemblance to Baguio Philippines which has a fine forests.

Aside from its Baguio-like capital city, most tourists could also visit and take a spiritual retreat at Bukidnon’s lovely Mt. Kitanglad, which kind of have a resemblance of Sagada Philippines’ mountain experienced.( Speaking of spiritual retreat, you could held it also at Bukidnon’s Monastery Of Transfiguration).However, Mt. Kitanglad is the second tallest mountain in the Philippines, second to Mt. Apo the tallest mountain in the Philippines. You could scroll its beautiful sceneries and ambience through horseback riding, if you like. However, if you are adventurous tourist like you like mountain climbing activities, its local government patronizes this kind of activity on Mt. Kitanglad. However, aside from Mt. Kitanglad, there are also two major mountains in Bukidnon, namely, the Mt. Kalatungan and the Mt. Tangkulan.

River-rafting is also patronized on Bukidnon’s bodies of water especially at Pulangi River which is one of the longest rivers in Bukidnon. Aside from Pulangi River, there are other five major rivers at Bukidnon which can be enjoyed by tourist if they like river-rafting adventure, namely, the Manupali, Tagoloan, Bobonawan, Cagayan, and Muleta Rivers.

Perhaps, if it is your first time to hear Bukidnon Philippines, you have not yet heard that Bukidnon Philippines is the Pineapple capital of the Philippines, and mind you it is considered “The Pineapple Capital of the World” as well because of its biggest pineapple plantation of the world. Don’t you know that the world famous pineapple products maker Del Monte Inc., the pineapple plantation on Bukidnon is theirs? Why Del Monte Inc. choose Bukidnon Philippines to be its major pineapple farm? For Bukidnon’s almost perfect location for farming, which is a fertile land, no typhoons vehement it, and sufficient regular distribution of rainfall, convinced Del Monte Inc.

Furthermore, pineapple is not only the crops that grow on Bukidnon’s fertile lands, Bukidnon Philippines is also well known as a major producer of rice, corn, bananas and sugarcane. So if you are visiting Bukidnon, do not just look and pick a pineapple into your shopping and souvenir list, try also their corn, bananas, sugarcane and rice. For if their pineapple is sweetened by its fertile lands surely Bukidnon’s other crops are also well mothered. That is why it is called the paradise of Mindano Philippines.

There are also other places of interest in Bukidnon Philippines; there is the Mangima Canyon Park, where of course you could a river canyon and an Olympic size swimming pool, as well as a relaxing resort. There is also the Del Monte Golf course for golf lovers, and the Sumalasag Cave for cave adventure lovers